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Blue Lake offers the following twenty Minors to Central Camp campers only. Please specify your choice for a Minor on your camp application. Acceptance in Minors is awarded on a first come-first served basis, and enrollment is limited. Fees range from free of charge to $78, and cost is listed on the application. Students who are not enrolled in a Minor use that time for individual practice or additional free time. Camp Bernstein students select their Minor on the opening day of camp.
Team Sports
Campers participating in the Team Sports Minor will have the opportunity to play in a variety of team-oriented sports including activities such as basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, volleyball, water polo, and others. The specific activity for each day will be rotated throughout the session and team placement will be based on enrollment.
 Campfire Guitar
Through ten casual sessions, students will have fun learning, writing, and exchanging “chord” style songs associated with the tradition of American camping. These songs are best enjoyed while hanging out on a starry summer night with friends around a warm campfire. All levels of ability welcome, and campers must bring their own guitar.
Take a Hike
The nature study Minor allows students to experience our natural resources of the beautiful Manistee National Forest. Through ten classes, students will learn about the variety of plants and animals that make Blue Lake their home, as well as what they can do to help preserve our natural wonders. Blue Lake’s new nature trails, platted by the West Michigan Nature Conservancy, provides students with a perfect outdoor classroom for extensive exploration.
Try a New Instrument
Students will receive group and individual instruction on a new instrument in one of three areas: Woodwind (flute, clarinet, and alto saxophone), Brass (trumpet, F horn, trombone), and String (violin and cello). Students will have an opportunity to work with all instruments within the selected area. Open only to campers majoring in Instrumental Music Programs (Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Piano, Harp). Support for these classes is provided by Meyer Music Company, school music specialists located in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Muskegon. Visit www.meyer-music.com for more information.
Conducting
Through group instruction and practice with scores and recordings, students will learn to conduct basic beat patterns, preparations and cutoffs, cues, fermatas, tempo changes and dynamics. Other activities will include observation of staff or festival ensemble rehearsals. Ability to read treble and bass clefs recommended. This minor is open only to students majoring in music programs.
Music Theory
Through ten classes, the Music Theory Minor introduces beginning and intermediate students to the fundamentals of music theory. An initial placement test will assist instructors in assessing students’ individual abilities. Piano majors receive theory as a part of their instructional day and are therefore not eligible for this minor.
 Music Composition
The objective of this course is to expose students to the basic principles of music composition. They will receive guidance in the composition of original music as well as exploration of historical compositional methods. Ability to read treble and bass clefs and basic knowledge of music theory recommended.
Students with an interest in music composition may apply for the H. Owen Reed Composition Scholarship. Students selected for this special scholarship award will also receive tutoring in music composition as a Minor activity. As a prerequisite, students must demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of music, i.e. the ability to write major and minor scales and intervals. Students who have already begun music composition should submit a sample of their work along with their scholarship application. Only those majoring in Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Piano or Harp are eligible, and applications are due March 1st. Please call 800-221-3796 or click here for more information.
History of Music
Through ten classes, the music appreciation Minor will provide students with a brief survey of various musical styles throughout history including Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth-Century, and Jazz music. Students will focus on recorded examples and be exposed to relevant historical background influencing the specific styles.
All That Jazz
The Jazz History Minor, designed for both musicians and non-musicians, will include an overview of the history of jazz and its many styles including the roots of jazz (African music, blues, ragtime), traditional New Orleans jazz, swing/big band, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, free jazz, fusion, and other contemporary trends. Students will focus on recorded musical examples to study the musicians, performance practices, and musical elements that define jazz.
 Jazz Band
The Jazz Band Minor provides students an opportunity to experience the swing of big band music. This ensemble emphasizes the development of rhythmic and articulation concepts unique to jazz, as well as the fundamentals of improvisation. Enrollment is limited to instrumentation requirements and students should have at least two years of musical experience. Jazz percussionists are required to bring their own snare drum & stand, sticks, and brushes. This 10 day course will culminate with a short performance for other campers. This minor is not available for Jazz majors.
Click here for information on a Jazz Band Major.
Fiddling
Open to all string majors of all ability levels, a variety of alternative styles in string performance practice will be explored. Students will be exposed to basic concepts involved in performing jazz, American folk music, blues, and other styles from around the world. This 10 day course will culminate with a short performance for other campers.
Click here for information on an Orchestra Major.
Art
The Art Minor offers students of all ability levels the opportunity to select an area of concentration and work at their own pace. Areas include: drawing, painting, fibers and ceramics. Media selections will be made on opening day. Drawing and Painting may include instruction in the use of pencil, charcoal, pastel, tempera, watercolor, acrylic, or collage. Fiber Arts will offer instruction in the use of yarns, fabrics and natural materials. Small looms and sewing machines are available to produce 2 and 3-D pieces. Ceramics and Sculpture courses will focus on basic principles of construction, hand-building, glazing and firing. Some wheel work may also be included. In Metals, jewelry items will be stressed. Students will have the opportunity to show selected finished work from each area in the Art Exhibition on Final Sunday.
Click here for information on an Art Major.
 Piano (beginner)
The Beginning Piano Minor offers group classes for the student who has had no previous experience with the keyboard. Ten classes are divided into group instruction and individual practice time.
Piano (intermediate - advanced)
The Intermediate - Advanced Piano Minor offers students who are currently studying piano at home ten sessions featuring a combination of private lessons, master classes, and supervised practice. Students should have at least 2 years of private study prior to camp, and must bring a piece of classical music ready to play for their teacher at the first meeting. Students should also plan to bring other current repertoire to camp. This minor is not available for Piano majors.
Click here for information on a Piano Major.
Choir
Through ten full ensemble rehearsals, the choir Minor will introduce standard choral literature which may include the following styles: traditional, (sacred and secular), swing, and Broadway show tunes. Instruction in vocal production, diction and interpretation, sight-singing, and basic musicianship will be emphasized. This basic course is for students with minimum to moderate vocal experience and is not available to choir majors. This 10 day course will culminate with a short performance for other campers.
Click here for information on a Choir Major.
Dance
The Dance Minor introduces beginning students to the fundamentals of dance, the importance of proper stretching, and basic dance movements for classical ballet, character dance, and modern dance. Required attire: Gym shorts or leggings, t-shirts or tank tops, soft gym shoes or dance shoes. This minor is not availalbe for Dance majors.
Click here for information on a Dance Major.
Acting
The Acting Minor offers ten sessions in a workshop format that includes instruction in basic acting skills such as voice production, movement, improvisation, and scene work. This basic course is aimed at students with minimal to moderate experience and is not available for Theater majors.
Click here for information on a Theater Major.
Shakespeare
 The Shakespeare Minor offers students an opportunity to hone their approach to Shakespearean text through focused scene work under the guidance of a professional Shakespearean teaching-artist. This 10 day course will culminate with a short performance for other campers.
Musical Theater
The Musical Theater Minor offers more experienced students an opportunity to refine their abilities as actors, singers and dancers through focused song study under the guidance of a professional teaching-artist. This 10 day course will culminate with a short performance for other campers.
Harp
Open to beginning harpists, the Harp Minor teaches students basic technique in a small ensemble format. Non-pedal harps are available. Students must be able to read the Grand Staff (treble and bass clefs). This 10 day course will culminate with a short performance for others on Final Sunday. This minor is not available to Harp majors.
Click here for information on a Harp Major.
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Twin Lake